APRIL 2019 NEWSLETTER

POA

Continued from page 5 Grandparent Scams

IRS Scams Imposters pose as law enforcement officers and call grandparents claiming that a grandchild is in jail. They then demand immediate payment to bail the grandchild out of jail. In another iteration of the scam, a person claiming to be the grandchild will call saying they have been mugged or otherwise detained in another country and are in need of money to get home. To avoid falling victim, verify through another means the grandchild’s whereabouts and avoid acting immediately. Scammers pose as IRS agents and call or email potential victims claiming that they owe the IRS and unless they are paid immediately, they will be arrested. The imposters demand that the victim wire money or provide a prepaid debit card in order to pay the taxes and avoid arrest. Know that the IRS will never make first contact via email or over the phone. They will always make first contact by mail. Should you receive a letter that appears to be from the IRS and it instructs you to call a number, verify online that the number listed in the letter is in fact a number associated with the IRS. The IRS also will never demand that you wire money or provide a prepaid debit card for payment. Scammers pose as law enforcement officers and call or email a potential victim claiming that they have missed jury duty. The scammers claim the victim must pay a fine immediately or they will be arrested. Know that a court official will never ask for you to wire money or ask for your confidential information over the phone or via email. Similar to the jury duty scam, imposters pose as law enforcement officers and call or email a potential victim claiming that they have a warrant out for their arrest or are otherwise being pursued by law enforcement. The imposters will claim the victim must pay them immediately or they will be arrested. Know that a law enforcement or court official will never ask for you to wire money or ask for your confidential information over the phone or via email. Imposters claiming to be with the Governor’s Office, Attorney General’s Office or a private law firm will call or email a potential victim and tell them they have won the Publisher’s Clearinghouse sweepstakes, a foreign sweepstakes or a foreign lottery. Victims are told they need to pay customs duties or taxes before the winnings can be sent to them. Legitimate sweepstakes do not require you to pay anything to receive the prize you have won. If you are told that you must pre-pay taxes, you are probably being scammed. Taxes can either be withheld from a cash award or, more commonly, are reported by the company to the IRS and you declare the prize on your annual tax return. Also, know that participating in a foreign lottery is against federal law. Continue on next page Jury Duty Scams Arrest Warrant Scams Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

6

Frenchman’s Creek Newsletter